Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Cedric Tillman vs Deebo Samuel Sr.Who should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Deebo Samuel Sr. is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.5 PPG to Cedric Tillman's 8.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Deebo Samuel Sr. is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Deebo Samuel Sr. edges Cedric Tillman by 1.3 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Deebo Samuel Sr. goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Cedric Tillman and Deebo Samuel Sr. in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

WRCleveland Browns#99

Cedric Tillman

PPG

8.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

612

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 10

WRWashington Commanders#36PPG LEADER

Deebo Samuel Sr.

PPG

9.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

727

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Cedric Tillman

Deebo Samuel Sr.

Head to Head

8.2 PPG9.5 PPG

14 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Cedric Tillman: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Deebo Samuel Sr.: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #36 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Cedric Tillman is producing at 37% of elite pace and Deebo Samuel Sr. at 43%. That ranking gap means Deebo Samuel Sr. carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Cedric Tillman vs Deebo Samuel Sr.: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Cedric Tillman finished the 2025 season at 8.2 PPG over 14 games with the Cleveland Browns, while Deebo Samuel Sr. clocked in at 9.5 across 16 appearances for the Washington Commanders. A 1.3-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Cedric Tillman turned 78 targets into 612 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Deebo Samuel Sr. converted 99 looks into 727 yards and 5 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

One scheduling note: Cedric Tillman is off Week 10 and Deebo Samuel Sr. Week 7. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in wide receiver for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Cedric Tillman (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Deebo Samuel Sr. (age 30) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•Deebo Samuel Sr. outscored Cedric Tillman by a projected 22 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Deebo Samuel Sr. played 16 games in 2025 compared to Cedric Tillman's 14. That durability gap means Deebo Samuel Sr. contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Deebo Samuel Sr. scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Deebo Samuel Sr. saw 99 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Cedric Tillman vs Deebo Samuel Sr.: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Cedric Tillman	Deebo Samuel Sr.
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.2	9.5
Games Played	14	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	115	152
Receptions	50	72
Rec/Game	3.6	4.5
Receiving Yards	612	727
Rec Yds/Game	43.7	45.4
Receiving TDs	4	5
Targets	78	99
Target Share/Game	5.6	6.2
Age	-	30
Experience	-	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 7

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Deebo Samuel Sr. holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 9.5 points per game. Cedric Tillman averaged 8.2 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Cedric Tillman vs Deebo Samuel Sr.

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Cedric Tillman vs Deebo Samuel Sr.

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Cedric Tillman or Deebo Samuel Sr. in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Deebo Samuel Sr. has the edge at 9.5 PPG compared to Cedric Tillman's 8.2 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Cedric Tillman and Deebo Samuel Sr. average in 2025?▾

Cedric Tillman averaged 8.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Deebo Samuel Sr. averaged 9.5 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 1.3 points per game.

When are Cedric Tillman and Deebo Samuel Sr.'s bye weeks in 2026?▾

Cedric Tillman (CLE) has a bye in Week 10, and Deebo Samuel Sr. (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Cedric Tillman or Deebo Samuel Sr. a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Deebo Samuel Sr. outscored Cedric Tillman by 1.3 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.